Everton to stick with Nikica Jelavic

NIKICA JELAVIC has been told he still has an Everton future, despite his struggles in front of goal this season.

Published: 00:00, Sat, April 27, 2013

Nikica Jelavic hasn't found much form yet this season

It ’s been a difficult season [for him] – maybe a bit of second-season syndrome if you want to call it that

David Moyes

The Croatia striker has just one goal in his last 18 Premier League games for the Toffees, who host Fulham today.

He bagged 11 goals in 16 games last term after arriving from Rangers for £5.5million and there has been talk of him being ready to quit the club, but Everton boss David Moyes said: “His effort has never been in question and we’d want him here next season .

“It ’s been a difficult season – maybe a bit of second-season syndrome if you want to call it that. He has found it a little harder to get the goals and the opportunities. His confidence has taken a bit of a knock. ”

Fulham boss Martin Jol, meanwhile, is bracing himself for another summer of wheeling and dealing as he rebuilds again.

Jol was forced to patch up his squad after the departure of a number of senior figures and will end the season with five loan players among the ranks and almost a starting line-up of others ending their current deals.

He said: “We would like to have £25m to spend on a 23-year-old but we can’t. So you have to be creative and that is good in the short term, but in the longer term it is not what you.

“I would love to decrease the amount of loan players in future. But it’s not a Mickey Mouse league and we have to survive and maintain where we are.

“David Moyes has created a puzzle that only needs a few little pieces changing, for me it is different. I can have six midfield players in June and they’re gone by September.”